People can picnic at the Redlands Bowl before the performances

REDLANDS >> It’s not uncommon to see people going to the Redlands Bowl for its Summer Music Festival to picnic on its historic grounds.

In fact, it has become a Bowl tradition.

People are welcome to bring dinners and goodies to enjoy with their friends and family before or during performances.

“The Redlands Bowl is the ideal place for people to bring their families and reconnect,” said Beverly Noerr, executive director of the Redlands Community Music Association. “The culture of the Bowl is to enjoy good food and music together. It has been a long-standing tradition, and it’s part of the summer (feel).”

Martha Green’s Eating Room has been offering boxed dinners to go for such an occasion, said manager Laura Leyvas.

Patrons can order a half salad or sandwich that comes with a choice of fruit or chips and pick it up by 6 p.m.

Green’s has been offering the option for two or three years, because, Leyvas said, “people just were calling and asking for it.”

“It’s not real popular because I don’t know if a lot of people know about it. We just have the regulars that know about it and keep ordering it every year,” she said.

Other nearby spots that prepare picnics to take to the Bowl include Olive Avenue Market, 530 W. Olive Ave.; State Street Deli, 202 E. State St.; Muffin Top Bakery, 233 E. State St.; and Stater Bros.

“The Bowl is just so much more than music,” Noerr said. “The music is world class, but the community coming together and just spending time with one another, hanging out and enjoying the music and fellowship of our community is a long-standing (culture) and why the Bowl goes on.”